In light of March Madness in full swing, alongside National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, today the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) released some notable findings from its most recent Annual 24-Hour Problem Gambling Helpline Report [1].According to Jennifer Kruse, Executive Director of the FCCG, "Our 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine responded to 1,589 contacts from Floridians seeking "help" for a gambling problem, which represents a staggering increase of 33% over the past three years and 26% in the past year. Of the 1,446 contacts providing the gambler's age, 14% identified the ages as 25 or younger, which confirms a more than 55% hike among this population since FY 2019-2020. The report further revealed that 53% of these gamblers started to bet prior to age 26, and 17% made their first bet before the legal gambling age of 18."
SANFORD, Fla., March 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In light of March Madness in full swing, alongside National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, today the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) released some notable findings from its most recent Annual 24-Hour Problem Gambling Helpline Report [1].
Contacts made to the FCCG's 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine during the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year continue to provide evidence that Floridians suffering from the negative effects of a gambling problem are in dire need of immediate supports. According to Jennifer Kruse, Executive Director of the FCCG, "Our 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine responded to 1,589 contacts from Floridians seeking "help" for a gambling problem, which represents a staggering increase of 33% over the past three years and 26% in the past year. Of the 1,446 contacts providing the gambler's age, 14% identified the ages as 25 or younger, which confirms a more than 55% hike among this population since FY 2019-2020. The report further revealed that 53% of these gamblers started to bet prior to age 26, and 17% made their first bet before the legal gambling age of 18."
Exacerbating matters further, more than half the males (51%) within this population reported their primary problem as online gambling, and in particular, sports wagering (26%), followed by casino gambling (24%) [2]. "Yet, this is the only age bracket where online gambling was the most frequently cited form of gambling causing difficulties, further demonstrating both the appeal of mobile betting to a younger demographic, especially among young males, and the rapid rate at which gambling problems can develop," Kruse added.
Kruse further explained that despite the current legal prohibitions for online gambling in Florida, a significant and steadily increasing number of HelpLine contacts reported some form of online gambling as their primary gambling activity (a documented 108% increase in online betting since pre-COVID) [3].
The reality is that while the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine has received more "Help" contacts than any other problem gambling hotline in the country, of the 42 states within the U.S. that publicly fund problem gambling services, Florida ranks 34th for per capita funds invested for this purpose and receives a public fund allocation of $.06 vs. the average $.40 allocation [4]. "The State of Florida can no longer sit idle while residents of all ages are experiencing serious to severe difficulties due to gambling. Though we are highlighting concerns among young people today, it's important to keep in mind that 86% of gamblers identified via the HelpLine were ages 26-30 (11%), 31-49 (39%), 50-54 (9%), and 55 years of age and older (27%)," warned Kruse.
Moreover, the primary gambling problem identified by HelpLine contacts were electronic gambling machines (33%) (e.g., slot machines, electronic card and table games), online gambling (21%), traditional card and table games (21%), and lottery (11%) games. "These findings conclude that it is time for state government to call upon all gambling operators to contribute to the cause. As March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, no time could be more fitting than the present," concluded Kruse. To learn more, visit problemgamblingawarenessmonth.org.
Florida's 24/7 confidential multilingual 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine receives contacts from individuals seeking help or information for a gambling problem (gamblers and others adversely affected). 888-ADMIT-IT further responds to contacts from a broad range of professionals who service problem gamblers, loved ones, and others, and/or are seeking information and/or training opportunities in the field, innovative outreach approaches and more.
Your One Sure Thing, 888-ADMIT-IT, may be reached by phone/text, email ([email protected]), live chat (gamblinghelp.org), the 888-ADMIT-IT App (https://landing.appypie.com/888-admit-it), or via social media.
References:
1. Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (2023). 24-Hour Problem Gambling HelpLine Annual Report, FY July 1, 2022-June 30, 2022.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Marotta, J. & Yamagata, G. (2022). 2021 Survey of Publicly Funded Problem Gambling Services in the United States. Wheatland CA: National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services.
Media Contact
Jennifer Kruse, The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, 1 4077125418, [email protected]
SOURCE The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling
Share this article